Ilinois Coal Vows to Fight

The state’s coal industry is promising to fight new regulations to limit carbon pollution. The proposed rules aim to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal-fueled power plants by 30 percent nationwide by 2030. Supporters call it the biggest step ever taken by the government in the fight against climate change—which Illinois Coal Association President Phil Gonet doesn’t believe is real.

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“I’m a global warming denier. I’ll be upfront about that,” Gonet said. “I think that this climate change issue is the greatest hoax that’s ever been perpetuated upon a human race.” Gonet says even if he were to accept that carbon emissions are harmful to the environment, the technology required to meet the new pollution standards doesn’t exist yet. He’s hoping legal challenges will prevent the regulations from taking effect.